Consultation launched on plan for 375-home Trinity Lakes development in Kennington, Ashford

rgriffiths@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:09, 07 October 2021 | Updated: 15:41, 07 October 2021

Developers behind a huge housing scheme have revealed more details of their vision for the project.

Initial plans to build on large swathes of land between Trinity Road and Sandyhurst Lane in Kennington were unveiled last year and featured 600 homes, a retirement village and business park.

An artist's impression of the proposed development between Sandyhurst Lane and Trinity Road

Neighbours living close to the 150-acre site, which lies alongside Ashford Golf Club, argued against the scale of the proposal, but some have now welcomed the decision to scale back the planned number of homes to 375 and drop the retirement village.

If built, the ‘Trinity Lakes’ development will still feature business accommodation, which the developers say could support up to 1,500 new jobs.

Roughly one third of the housing created would be made up of affordable and starter homes, while the development would also include about 42.5 acres of open, public space.

A spokesman for the Sandyhurst Lane Residents’ Association (SLRA), which lobbied against the initial plans, welcomed changes revealed in the updated proposals.

They said: “As a residents’ association we have worked hard to ensure that the emerging Local Plan for the site set a limit of 375 homes, required no vehicular access from Sandyhurst Lane and guaranteed a generous landscaped buffer to residential properties along Sandyhurst Lane.

The site of the proposed Trinity Lakes development in Kennington goes across 150 acres. Picture: Graham Skinner

If built, the development will go on land next to Ashford Golf Club

The land is popular with walkers. Picture: Graham Skinner

“Following publication of the developer’s scoping document in June 2020, the SLRA lobbied extensively against their proposals for up to 600 homes, a retirement village and vehicular access from Sandyhurst Lane to exclusively feed part of the development.

“We are now pleased to see that Quadrant Estates has torn up the scoping document in their consultation documentation and appears to be again respecting the Local Plan conditions.”

A new website set up to showcase the vision for the site invites people living nearby to have their say as part of a consultation over the plans.

It says: “We would like to give members of the local community the opportunity to share their views on the scheme.

“By having your say, you will help us to further shape and develop our proposals before we submit a formal planning application to Ashford Borough Council.”